Reed controlling mechanism for terry loom



E. c. NICHOLS 3,363,653

Jan. 16, 1968 Filed May 25, 1966 I N v E N T 0 R. EDWARD C.NICHOL5.

ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1968 E. c. NICHOLS REED CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR TERRY LOOM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1966 I N VB NTO R EDWARD C.N|CHOLS.

ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1968 E. c. NICHOLS REED CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR TERRY LOOM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1966 ,INVENTOR.

' v EDWARD c.N\cHo|.s.

' ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1968 E. c. NICHOLS 3,363,653

REED CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR TERRY LOOM Filed May 25, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

l 1 9.1 v Q Eowmzo c. NICHOLS.

I y B QMQ ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

EDWARD C. NICHOLS ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1968 E. c. NICHOLS REED CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR TERRY LOOM Filed May 25, 1966 United States Patent Trust Filed May 25, 1966, Ser. No. 552,904 8 Claims. (Cl. 13926) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Mechanism for varying the rceds beat-up positions which includes an angularly directed control cam having a straight-sided back-up slot positioned so as to oppose perpendicularly the cam forces exerted by the follower.

This invention pertains to looms for weaving terry fabric and, more particularly, to improved means for reed control during each terry cycle and further means for alternating between terry and plain weaving during high speed loom operation.

A common terry weave is formed in three-pick cycles; however, cycles having four or more picks are often used and either choice is suitable for weaving with the instant invention. Three-pick cycle terry is woven by placing individually two picks of filling into opened sheds of ground and terry warp ends and, by means of the reed, moving those two picks to a position parallel with but separated from the fell of the woven fabric. A third pick is then inserted into a shed and all three are beat up to the fell together by being slid between the tautly held ground warp ends. The terry warp ends are .slackened prior to the moment of beat-up and will be carried along .Wlth the three picks and will form loops on the surfaces of the fabric. The distance, or length of terry warp, which separates the fell and the position of placement of the first two picks is a determining factor in the height of the resulting terry loops. It is desirable that this separating distance be easily and accurately changed when necessary and positively retained while weaving any particular fabric construction.

The positioning of two or more picks at a distance from the fell will be termed in this disclosure a partial beatup as contrasted to the full beat-up after insertion of the final pick of each cycle. Various devices have been used in the art for alternating the reciprocating reed between a forward position and an offset rearward position. This invention is directed toward improvements in means for effecting these two alternating positions.

During terry weaving it is frequently necessary to switch to and from plain weaving for numerous reasons, as for example, patterning, or for a separating portion between two towels. A disconnecting mechanism is needed which will allow the reed to remain in its forward posi tion and deliver a full beat-up to each filling pick.

In high-speed looms, and particularly in shuttleless looms where production has been increased greatly over what was previously possible, the linkages for producing the above operations have not proven entirely satisfactory. Wear and breakage of parts have increased, the settings of the moving parts have become sloppy and resetting has been difficult and uncertain.

It is the general object of the invention to provide an improved reed control linkage for high-speed terry looms.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for supporting an oscillating reed which shall have lowered weight and inertia values thereby reducing wear and presenting a longer use-life to the motive parts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide mecha- 3,353,653 Patented Jan. 16, 1968 nism for off-setting the reed relative to the sword at selected precise distances.

It is a further object to provide a mechanism for producing a greater range of distance through which the reed may be offset than was previously possible.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide reed control linkage upon which adjustments may be easily made and the resulting offset distances closely maintained.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide mechanism for inactivating the terry-weave devices during loom operation which shall be positive acting at high speed while requiring very low operating forces.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as further details are disclosed. The invention will be described by reference to a specific embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lefthand side of a loom with a portion of the invention attached to the sword and with the customary lay and raceway removed,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of FIG. 1 as seen from the right with some parts omitted for clarity,

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 showing the reed in an offset-position,

FIG. 4 is an elevation of a portion of FIG. 3 as viewed from the rear,

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the reed lever and slide linkage fixed to the sword and shown partially in section,

FIG. 6 is an elevation of the camming plate of FIG. 5 shown somewhat enlarged,

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of that shown in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the lower slide mechanism shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 in FIG. 5,

FIG. 10 is a left side elevation of the driving parts for the invention showing the cam shaft and terry shaft in section,

FIG. 11 is a detail of a portion of FIG. 10 showing the disconnecting device in the inactive position, and

FIG. 12 is a front elevation of that shown in FIG. 10.

Now referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, a sword 20 of a type employed in a well-known shuttleless loom as manufactured by Draper Corporation of Hopedale, Mass, is pivotally supported on a rocker stud 21 for reciprocating motion. A face pad 22 on the upper end of the sword 20 normally carries a lay (not shown) secured through the holes 23. A centrally pivoted lever 24- is supported on the inner side of sword 2d by a bearing 25. The upper end 26 of the lever 24 extends upwardly into a reed support 27, an inverted U-shaped beam which extends fully across the loom to the opposite sword (not shown). The support 27 may have a forwardly directed reinforcing ledge 28 to provide extra rigidity throughout its entire length. A reed 29 is fastened to the forward face of the support 27 in a generally vertical plane in a manner well known in the weaving art. The lower end 30 of the lever 24 carries a roller cam follower 31 secured by a nut 32. The sword 20 with its opposite counterpart will reciprocate forward and back while carrying the reed 29 toward and away from the fell of the fabric. The forward pivotal position of the lever 24 relative to the sword 20 will determine the point at which the reed 29 will deposit a particular pick of filling.

Relative movement is afforded the lever 24 by a slide bar 33 having a plate 34 fastened at its upper end by screws 35 (FIG. 5). A yoke type cam 36 is cut through the plate 34 and has an upper leg 37 extending generally 0 vertically and a lower leg 38 extending downwardly and forwardly forming an obtuse angle (FIG. 6). The cam follower 31 is enclosed within the cam 36 and will give pivotal movement to the lever 24 when the plate 34 is raised in a manner to be further explained below. When the follower 31 is in the upper leg 37 (FIG. 2) the reed 29 will be advanced by the sword 20 to its forwardmost position and when in the lower leg 38 (FIG. 3) the reed 29 will be moved to a less advanced position which may be varied by the height the plate 34 is raised.

High loom speeds combined with relative offset angles of the reed of one inch or somewhat more, have caused considerable wear of parts and inaccuracy in placing of filling picks for terry. To provide a firm support to the plate 34 and to reduce wear, a slot 39 having two straight parallel sides 40 and 41 is placed generally perpendicular to the direction of forces exerted by the follower 31. A two-armed bracket 42 carrying a roller 43 on one arm is pivotally fastened to the sword 20 by a screw 44 through the second arm (FIG. 2). The bracket 42 may be set and locked into a position desired by tightening down a square headed screw plate 45 in an are shaped partial slot 46 in the bracket arm. The roller 43, when fastened in place, will back up the plate 34 and add rigidity to the slide bar 33.

The lower end of the slide bar 33 is positioned for straight line movement by a square shanked lock plate 47 overlapping a slot 48 formed in the bar 33 and enclosed by a face bar 49. The lock plate 47 is supported upon a boss 50 extending outwardly from the sword 20 and fastened by a bolt 51 (FIGS. and 9). It will be seen that the slide bar 33 and cam plate 34 can move vertically only (FIG. 5), without any lateral deviation. Although not strictly necessary to the invention, a slide housing 52 may be adjustably fixed to the sword over the central portion of the slide bar 33 for additional lateral support.

Timed movement is delivered to the slide bar 33 by the oscillation of the terry shaft 53 .(FIGS. 5 and 8) having an arm 54 keyed near its end. The arm 54 may have two or more connector holes 55 spaced at varying radial distances from the center of the shaft 53. An upper connecting link 56 is flexibly fastened to one of the holes 55 by a spherical bearing 57 and adjustably secured to a lower connecting link 58 by a bolt 59. The link 58 is pivotally secured to the slide bar 33 by a second spherical bearing 60. The links 56 and 58 are positioned to avoid contact with the full roll of cloth C (FIG. 5). An adjusting screw 61 is threaded through the link 58 and bears against the link 56 to vary the distance between centers of bearings 57 and 60. This adjustment is used for raising or lowering the plate 34 relative to the follower 31 to effect a greater or lesser angularity of the reed 29 at the moment of beat-up. The sliding camming members and the pivotal reed lever thus far explained are duplicated in reverse on the opposite loom sword so that the reed 29 is controlled from both sides of the loom by the terry shaft 53.

Oscillation of the terry shaft 53 is provided by a continually rotating timing cam 62 positioned centrally of the loom upon a cam shaft 63 (FIG. which is driven through gearing by the loom motor (not shown). A treadle 64 pivots on a fixed treadle shaft 65 and carries a roller cam follower 66 in tracking engagement with the cam 62. In the embodiment shown herein the cam 62 is arranged to make one revolution during the insertion of three picks of filling and it will be noted that the follower 66 will be down for one pick and rise for two picks. This will arrange the linkage to the reed for the previously explained three-pick terry cycle as will be seen.

The forward end 67 of the treadle 64 has a stud 68 extending therethrough in a generally horizontal plane (FIG. 12). The stud 68 will rise and fall with the pivoting treadle 64 the fixed distance allowed by the cam 62 and follower 66. The stud 68 extends through a slot 69 in the lower end of an adjustably extendable arm 70 which is directed upwardly in back of the woven cloth C to shaft 53 (FIGS. 10 and 12). A crank arm 71 which is keyed to the terry shaft 53 has a pair of opposed radially directed adjusting slots 72 within which a pin 73 may be positioned as desired. The upper end 74 of the arm 70 is pivotally held by the pin 73 so that, as the arm 70 is raised or lowered, the terry shaft 53 will be oscillated. The extent of oscillation delivered to the shaft 53 may be varied by repositioning the pin 73 radially in the slots 72.

A latch 75 is pivotally secured to the arm 70 by a bolt 7 6. The latch 75 has a concave lower surface 77 which will partially match the upwardly facing periphery of the stud 68 and be thereby locked together whenever the latch 75 is directly above the stud 68 and the treadle 64 raised. A torsion spring 78 surrounds the bolt 76 and bears against the latch 75 urging it into the position directly above the stud 68. It will be seen that, with the latch 75 in the above position, the arm 70 will be raised and the shaft 53 oscillated.

In order that the mechanism may be inactivated, and oscillation of the shaft 53 discontinued, it is only necessary to pivot the latch 75 rearwardly of the loom (FIG. 11) by pulling a terry inactivation wire 79 which may extend to any patterning means (not shown) upon the loom. With the latch 75 drawn rearwardly against the spring 78 pressure, the treadle 64 and stud 68 will rise and fall ineffectually for any number of picks which will result in plain rather than terry weaving.

Prior to starting the weave, the reed 29 is set to the forwardmost point of its stroke (FIG. 2) by loosening the screw plate 45 and rotating the bracket 42 until the correct position is reached, and then re-tightening the plate 45 as a permanent setting. In operation, then, the timing cam 62, it being in this instance a three-pick cycle cam, will hold the follower 66 up for two-thirds of the cycle and down for the remaining one-third. The first two picks of filling would be inserted with the follower 66 in the up position, and providing the wire 79 has been released for terry weaving, the arm 70 will partially rotate the terry shaft 53 to the dotted line position in FIG. 10. This will, by means of the links 56 and 58, raise the bar 33 and plate 34 and the cam follower 31 will pivot the reed 29 angularly of the sword 20 as shown in FIG. 3. This will effect a partial beat-up to those two picks by placing them parallel to, but a distance in back of the fell as intended. During the third pick the linkage is lowered by the cam 62 which pivots the reed 29 to the forward position of FIGS. 2 and 5. This will cause a full beat-up with all three picks being pressed tightly to the fell of the fabric. The terry loops are formed at this instant by the slackened terry warp threads buckling outwardly and being secured by the three packed-in filling ends.

The mechanism set forth above includes improvements in means for adjustably setting the reed for a variety of partial beat-up positions. The angle of rotation of the shaft 53 (FIG. 10) will be increased by positioning the pin 73 further into the slot 72 and will be decreased by securing the pin 73 outwardly of the slot 72. By moving the bearing 57 (FIG. 5) to a hole 55 nearer the center of the shaft 53, the extent of sliding movement of the bar 33 will be reduced and the angle of offset of the reed 29 relative to the sword 20 will be thus decreased.

Small adjustments in the angle of offset of the reed 29 are readily made with the links 56 and 58 (FIG. 5). By increasing the overall length of the two links, the angle of offset will be decreased and the terry loops would be made shorter. If the overall length is decreased the angle of offset will be greater and the terry loops made longer. It will be seen that, as the higher the yoke cam 36 is forced to slide, the greater the pivotal movement will be to the lever 24. Accurate adjustments may be made with the two links 56 and 58 by lowering the screw 61 a distance measurable with a rule or thickness gauge and then loosening the bolt 59 to slide the lower link 58 upward the measured distance. To increase the overall length of the links 56 and 58, the bolt 59 should be loosened and the link 58 lowered a desired distance, then the screw 61 tightened up to contact the link 56.

The instant invention discloses novel improvements in mechanism for accurately controlling the loom reed for terry weaving. The mechanism fulfills the objectives of the invention as set forth above.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a loom for weaving terry fabrics t'he combination of (a) a sword mounted in said loom for reciprocating movement,

(b) a reed lever fixed to said sword and reciprocable therewith having an upper end and a lower end,

(c) said reed lever being pivotally supported intermediate said ends,

(d) a reed fastened to said upper end,

(e) camming means for pivoting said lever and thereby moving said reed angularly relative to said sword,

(f) linkage means slidably fastened to said sword for providing movement to said camming means,

(g) oscillating drive means for actuating said linkage means,

(h) adjusting means for controlling the extent of angular movement of said reed relative to said sword, and

(i) cam reinforcing means extending generally perpendicularly to the direction of force exerted against said camming means for restricting said camming means to straight-line sliding movement without lateral deviation.

2. Mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower end of said reed lever carries a cam follower for maintaining contact with said camming means.

3. Mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said camming means includes a cam plate having an angularly extending yoke cam therethrough with said cam follower encompassed therein.

4. Mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said cam reinforcing means comprises a bracket adjustably secured to said sword, a roller member fixed to said bracket for rotation, said cam plate having a straight-sided slot therethrough encompassing said roller member.

5. Mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said linkage means comprises (a) a slide bar removably secured at one end to said cam plate and at the other end to a positioning member,

(b) said slide bar being movable longitudinally upon said sword and restrained from lateral movement by said reinforcing means and said positioning member, and

(c) an adjustable link pivotally connected to said slide 'bar and said drive means.

6. Mechanism as defined in claim 5 wherein said straightsided slot extends longitudinally generally perpendicular to the plane of the forces exerted between said camming means and said cam follower, and which further includes:

(a) :a terry shaft being supported for oscillation,

(b) an arm fixed to said terry shaft for movement thereby,

(0) adjustable means connecting said arm with said linkage means for providing a variable extent of movement to said camming means,

((1) a continually rotatable timing cam,

(e) adjustable follower means in conjunction with said timing cam for transmitting angular movement of variable extent to said terry shaft, and

(f) means for inactivating said adjustable follower means relative to said terry shaft.

7. Mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said adjustable follower means comprises:

(a) a pivotally fixed treadle,

(b) a follower roller secured to said treadle to respond to the dictates of said timing cam,

(c) an extendable arm connected to said treadle being selectively movable thereby, and

(d) a crank member securely fixed to said terry shaft and pivotally attached to said extenda ble arm,

(e) said crank member being adjustably attached to said extendable arm for varying the extent of angular movement transmitted to said terry shaft.

8. Mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein said inactivating means includes:

(a) a latch locking member fixed to said treadle,

(1b) a latch pivotally movable into and out of association with said locking member, and.

(c) tensioning means for urging said latch into association with said locking member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,097,669 7/1963 Banks 139--l90 3,126,342 6/1964 Short 139-26 3,213,891 10/1965 Burgess 139-26 3,240,235 3/ 1966 Burgess 139-25 3,265,095 8/1966 Nichols et a1 139--26 3,315,705 4/1967 Burgess 13926 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,316 of 1914 Great Britain.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

J. KEE CHI, Assistant Examiner. 

